Introduction [TANKS]

["Peter Arundel" <pureteenlard-at-hotmail.com>]

Hello, ladies and gentlemen . . .

Having tracked the RC Tank combat site for some time I have finally taken 
the plunge and decided to build my own tank and since I've joined the 
mailing list and received a message suggesting that I introduce myself then 
I shall do just that.

Name: Pete Arundel
Age: 35
Nationality: British
Occupation: Telecoms engineer.

Now on to tanks . . .
I have several, obsolescent paintball guns from my misspent youth so 
armament is not a problem. Electric scooter motors are cheaply available on 
E-bay and I have a friend who participated in several seasons of "Robot 
Wars" and who has kindly donated two very nice speed controllers to the 
project so propulsion isn't a problem either.

What is a problem is the choice of vehicle.

It has to be British 'cause I am.
It has to be simple, again,  'cause I am.

First thought was a Valentine X or XI. Hull made of flat plate, cylindrical 
turret and only four spring / damper units to suspend twelve wheels. But 
someone has already started a Valentine and I want a unique tank.

Next thought was a Cromwell. Then a Comet . . .

Due to other people building them (probably better than I could too, 
dammit!) I was forced to consider a Crusader III. Actually I'd always liked 
the Crusader. It was the first 1/72nd scale plastic model I ever built. 
Nice, simple boxy shape and I would only have to suspend five wheels per 
side. But the turret is small and could cause grief when trying to fit in 
the gun, ammo feed and the gas cylinder  . . .

Next I thought about a Churchill III but the damn thing would need 22 
suspension bogies and I don't know if I can be arsed to build that many. On 
the plus side the hull and side sponsons would be fairly easy to make and, 
more importantly, to make strong.

Final thought was to build a Centurion - possibly an AVRE just so that I 
could have the biggest gun on the field - but although the turret is large, 
the suspension is simple (needing just three springs per side) and the hull 
shape looks simple to fabricate, the disadvantage is that the turret is a 
complicated shape that couldn't be built from flat or simple curved shapes.

I considered giving up on tracks and building an AEC or Saladin armoured car 
but the problems of building live axles and leaf springs for the one and a 
6x6 transmission for the other made me go back to tracks.

So, since I cannot make up my own mind I would like to ask you, the RC TANK 
COMBAT mailing list to advise me. Should I attempt a Crusader III, Churchill 
III or a Centurion? If you can think of any pro's or con's that I've missed 
out then let me know. All help and suggestions gratefully received.

Pete.